What led you to a career in personal finance? And what inspires you to continue doing this work today?:

I joke that I listened to the wrong parent when I was deciding what I wanted to study in college. One parent suggested I follow my heart into something creative, and the other parent suggested I pursue something more practical. I ended up studying accounting and becoming a CPA with a PFS designation, and I added the AFC to capture the human side of money. Now I get to do both things – follow my heart into the creative industry and (practically and lovingly) help people with their money.

How did you learn about the AFC certification, and why did you decide to pursue the certification?:

I finished the financial therapy certificate program at Kansas State University online, and learned about the AFCPE through the professors and other students. I really appreciated having a designation that was focused on applying technical knowledge in a human-centric way.

What have you enjoyed most about the program so far, and/or what would you say to someone considering pursuing the AFC?:

Do it! The AFCPE overall is a tremendous organization doing really wonderful things in the world of finance. It includes practitioners, educators, and researchers, and the diversity of perspectives and practices is inspiring. Plus, advising clients is not something you should do alone — It takes a community of support to excel, and the AFC community provides that support.

Tell us about a project or initiative you are currently working on.:

I’m just wrapping up the final research report on a six-month program for creative business owners in West Virginia, and the program’s impact still takes my breath away. The confidence gained by the participants, the way they diversified their income, and the way they built habits and systems is inspiring.

Next up is expanding the library of resources and courses I offer… And probably hiring a few additional AFCs, so if someone is looking to work with creative individuals, get in touch!

What is the best way to connect with you (social links, etc.)?:

My website is MinervaFinancialArts.com, and I’m findable on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainegroganluttrull/) and Instagram (@MinervaFinArts). Truthfully, though, email is the best way to get directly to me.